Stand Up To Sciatica

Stand Up To Sciatica

Health & Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

Do you experience pain in the buttock, leg, or even your foot? If so, you may be experiencing sciatica. Sciatica is a common form of back and leg pain that is often misunderstood by sufferers. People frequently have questions about what sciatica is, why it occurs and how to find relief from the intense pain it can cause from the low back down to the feet. The experts at Physical Therapy Institute of Illinois know that the most common cause of sciatica is piriformis syndrome. If you are suffering from sciatica it is important to find its root cause. Many people often think an x-ray or expensive MRI is first needed to figure out what is causing pain. Having a lot of tests doesn’t mean you will find its root cause. Recent studies show that nearly 1 million of MRIs done for sciatica fail to find a treatable cause. With a new imaging technique called magnetic resonance neurography, 69% of the patients were found to have a trapped sciatic nerve deep in the buttock by a muscle called the piriformis. It is known that in about 25% of the general population, the sciatic nerve pierces through the piriformis muscle and can be susceptible to abnormal pressure and irritation. This can lead to piriformis syndrome. Sciatica caused by piriformis syndrome responds best to conservative, cost-effective measures, especially physical therapy. Our multidisciplinary teams of physical therapists and soft tissue specialists work closely together to find the root cause of your pain, and develop a customized, comprehensive treatment plan. The collaborative care at Physical Therapy Institute of Illinois should be tried first to relieve the nerve entrapment and painful symptoms. Stand Up to Sciatica!

Why Does Sciatica Occur?

The spine has to bear the weight of our trunk and at the bottom of the spinal column is the sciatic nerve. If there are changes in posture, muscle strength or pelvic alignment, the nerve can be compressed which leads to the quite common low back and sciatic nerve pains. The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in your body. It even reaches down to the foot and therefore, can be irritated anywhere along its path. With sciatica, the consequent ache can be felt anywhere from the base of the spine, the buttocks or the back of the thigh and legs. Even tingling sensations in the toes can be attributed at times to the impingement of the sciatic nerve.

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Stand Up to Sciatica!

Bad Habits Can Increase Your Pain Some seemingly harmless habits can also contribute to the irritation of the sciatic nerve. A frequent bad habit is crossing of the legs for extended periods, which puts pressure on the nerve. In addition, sitting for long periods is bad for your spine. It is possible for you to prevent or relieve sciatica simply by improving your posture. Physical Therapy Relieves Sciatica The specialists at Physical Therapy Institute of Illinois play a crucial role in evaluating and treating sciatica as well as other common back problems. Our physical therapists are medical experts with years of training to evaluate your back problem, finding the root cause of your sciatica. An individualized treatment plan is created to guide you through the recovery process and

maximize your success. When coming to Physical Therapy Institute of Illinois our friendly and knowledgeable therapists spend time with you. We train you on specific and easy exercises that will relieve the pain in your back and legs. In addition, our specialized hands-on therapy, helps to gently loosen tight muscles and joints in your spine and legs. Your pain is quickly relieved and your flexibility restored, so you can feel like yourself again. Our cutting-edge treatments are doctor recommended and are specifically designed for you to reach your healthcare goals. Knowing all this should give you a headstart in warding off painful sciatica. After all, it may be as simple as learning to stand tall.

Get back to living With PTII.

Journal of neurosurgery: Spine Feb, 2005 Volume 2, Number 2. Aaron G. Filler, M.D., Ph.D., Jodean Haynes, B.A., Sheldon E. Jordan, M.D., Joshua Prager, M.D., J. Pablo Villablanca, M.D., Keyvan Farahani, Ph.D., Duncan Q. Mcbride, M.D., Jay S. Tsuruda, M.D., Brannon Morisoli, B.A., Ulrich Batzdorf, M.D., and J. Patrick Johnson, M.D.

Move Freely • Alleviate Pain Naturally • Have More Energy • Enjoy Activities Pain Free • Be Stronger

We help you:

Don’t let pain become a way of life Pinpoint the exact cause of your pain!

• Pain while bending or reaching • Soreness after sitting awhile • Difficulty standing for > 20 mins • Pain when trying to sleep • Pain when driving > 30 mins • Radiating pain to buttocks

FREE END OF YEAR TUNE-UP

Fox River Grove 847-462-8707

Park Ridge 847-298-3079

Offer valid for the first 25 people to schedule. Expires 12-31-16.

Patient Success Spotlight

Strongandexciting Headline! “Periberumquoditatur, sitati que et eaqui totasitiis inulliquid et et ped maximo conseque laut inctem volutestium que voluptatur apelendus santium etur si dipis et facerum quia simagnam soluptatis dolorer spernamus id que odit molupta simet, simpore volores volupid icaborest rest, te porest, ” - Claire G.

Claire G. (patient) on the left and Joy Casper, DPT, ATC on the right.

Time Is Running Out! It’s almost the end of 2016. Use your health insurance benefits before it’s too late. Schedule Your Tune-Up Today!

• Feel better and move without pain • Have more energy for the holidays • Save money and get healthy

The end of the year is approaching faster than you think. Now is the time to take advantage of unused insurance benefits. Remember, what you don’t use by the end of the year you lose. Not sure if Physical Therapy can help? Call to schedule a Tune-Up with a licensed physical therapist now and address those “aches/pains” that are slowing you down.

FOX RIVER GROVE LOCATION: T: 847-462-8707

PARK RIDGE LOCATION: T: 847-298-3079

Who do you know that needs our help?

Refer a Friend Do You Have Friends or Family Unable to Do The Following? 9 Move without pain 9 Bend and move freely

9 Balance confidently and securely 9 Sit for long periods comfortably 9 Walk for long distances 9 Live an active and healthy lifestyle

If you know someone suffering with aches and pains give the gift of health. Refer them to Physical Therapy Institute of Illinois today. Pass along this newsletter or have them call us directly for a FREE Pain or Injury Assessment.

Fox River Grove 847-462-8707

Park Ridge 847-298-3079

Healthy Recipe

Eating right never tasted so good!

Basic Fruit Smoothie Recipe Directions In a blender, combine strawberries,

5 Ingredients • 1 quart strawberries, hulled • 1 banana, broken into chunks • 2 peaches • 1 cup orange-peach- mango juice • 2 cups ice

banana and peaches. Blend until fruit is pureed. Blend in the juice. Add ice and blend to desired consistency. Pour into glasses and serve.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/23553/basic-fruit-smoothie/

Relieve Sciatica Pain In Minutes Without Pain Medication! Try these movements if you are experiencing back pain.

Loosens Low Back

Strengthens Core

www.simpleset.net

FIGURE 4 STRETCH Lie partially on your stomach, bend one hip up with the knee bent. Hold for 10 seconds repeat 3 times.

HAMSTRING STRETCH While lying on your back, raise up your leg and hold the back of your knee until a stretch is felt .

Always consult your physical therapist or physician before starting exercises you are unsure of doing.

Staff Spotlight

Michael Geimer, PT, Dip. MDT McKenzie Method® Diplomat

Kathy Ottesen, OTR/L, CHT Occupational Therapist, Certified Hand Therapist Kathy Ottesen received her Bachelor’s of Science in 1990 and her Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) Certification in 2014. Kathy specializes in hand and upper extremity dysfunction and works with a variety of injuries. In her free time, Kathy enjoys spending time with her 4 children and travelling with her husband.

Mike Geimer is the Lead Physical Therapist of our Park Ridge and Fox River Grove clinics. He runs the Neck and Low Back Pain Center, which focuses on the conservative treatment of neck and low back pain. Mike received his Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Therapy in 1977 from Marquette University. He was one of the first to receive an advanced diploma in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (Dip. MDT) in the state of IL in 1998 from the prestigious McKenzie Institute and is currently one of seven McKenzie Diplomats in the state. Mike specializes in the conservative treatment of pain in the spine, including the neck, mid-back and low back in patients from ages 8 – 80. He has helped thousands of his patients avoid surgery and have a better quality of life. In his free time, Mike enjoys golfing, spending time with his adult children and travelling with his wife.

1009 W State Rte 22 # 1 Fox River Grove, IL 60021

FOX RIVER GROVE LOCATION: 1009 IL Route 22 Suite 1 Fox River Grove, IL 60021-1998

PARK RIDGE LOCATION: 1550 North Northwest Highway Suite 120 Park Ridge, IL 60068

T 847-462-8707 F 847-462-9208

T 847-298-3079 F 847-298-4019

www.ptiipt.com